Snow Mountain Curbcuts in Newton: Sidewalks That Stop Into Poles

Residential Sidewalk Snow Shoveling Ordinance Passed!

Newton passed a residential sidewalk snow clearing ordinance! It is a two year trial. Home-owners/residents are requested to clear their abutting public sidewalks and curbcuts free of snow during the winter. Businesses are allowed 24 hours after the snow ends, residents are allowed 30 hours to clear. Lets all continue to work with Newton departments to stop the practice of dumping snow mountains on the curbcuts and crosswalks. Everyone, lets work together so Newton has safe and accessible sidewalks all year long.

New Construction is Unacceptable!

It has rained for over 24 hours. Above photos were taken on February 24th. They show the snow mountains from city plows still blocking the public sidewalk on Wachusett Rd and Hammond Street at intersection of Commonwealth Avenue.This snow has been sitting here since the December storm. The most disturbing elements in these photos are construction flaws of these sidewalks paid for by our public funds from Mass Highway Dept and overseen by the City of Newton Traffic and Engineering Department. Notice the sidewalks end into utility poles and stop midblock on people's lawn. A wheelchair user is unable to use any of these sidewalks, and would have no other choice but to be wheeling along with the trucks and cars in the street. Newton, this is unacceptable!

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Sidewalks That Stop Into Poles

by Maryan Amaral 2/27/10

It simply is amazing to me that our city has allowed for the sidewalk project of the Mass Highway Dept to end building the sidewalk as it meets a utility pole or lawn, without continuing to its natural progression. As I understand, the laws require for continous sidewalks.

The curbcuts (curbramps) are not flush with the pavement, but raised off the level street surface. A person using a manual wheelchair cannot climb over curbs, and would or could flip over backwards in the street, trying to scale the front wheels over a raised curb or curbcut.

The city owns or have rights of access to the land at the end of ones personal property. So even if someone did not wish for a sidewalk to be placed at the end of their property, they do not have the grounds to refuse it. In addition, the 521CMR building codes of the state Architectural Access Board govern the construction of public sidewalks in all cities and towns in the Commonwealth. In addition, the 28CFR regulations of the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act regulate the building and maintenance of new sidewalks, curbcuts, etc.

In my recent communication with the DPW, I am told that the sidewalks are done at this point, and no other plans are in the works to fix this. Persons with disabilities using wheelchairs are unable to use these sidewalks. Under new leadership in Newton, it is my sincere hope, accountability will be taken and the contractors and city staff allowing for such egregious construction will fix the problems. Safety and access for all pedestrians.